Wrapping puttees

[rodian]

I was wondering: How did the good soldier Svejk tie his puttees?

I'm already familiar with the French and Japanese way of tying puttees, but just to be on the safe side I thought I'd ask if the Austro-Hungarians had any specific way of doing it and if so, are there any surviving illustrations on how to? Or at least an existing thread on this matter.

Thanks in advance

[cplcampisi]

I'm curious to know as well.

Studying photographs of Italian soldiers, there seems to be have two styles. One is a simple wrapping style, the other creates an X at the front. Which one you use depends upon the shape of your calf. If your calf is really straight, you can just do the simple wrap. If it's muscular and rounded (like mine), folding at the front is necessary to get it to lie flat against the leg, and looks nice -- but, that uses up more length. I can just barely do the X style with my set of puttees, so I've ordered a second set with an extra foot or so per puttee.

Part of the trick to doing the simple wrap, and getting it to look good, might be putting them on really tight. I can't do that, it causes problems and is very uncomfortable. I pull mine tight at the bottom around the ankle, a bit looser in the middle, then tight again at the very top. As long as I get up over the wide part of the calf, they seem to stay up.

Some puttees had a "french cut" (?) with a curve built into the puttee to take into account the shape of the calf.

[oskar2ndchev]

Puttees definitely work better on folks with stick legs. My calves are pretty thick so it's a real pain for me to wrap. I use the "X" method- I'll have to find the link to the web site and post it here. I would definitely recommend getting longer puttees. Schipper sells them in "normal" and "extended" lengths. The "X" method eats up a lot of length.

[Larry Dunn]

AH puttees were more like a knit material with some stretch to it, so they conformed to the calf. The Schipper puttees I've been using are just plain cloth, so I've been using the "two half twists in the back" method to get them to conform to my (rather manly) calves. I've got a new pair coming from the Czech Republic that are supposed to be identical to the originals--I'll report back when they arrive.

-Larry

[rsm2ndbtnlf]

Hmmm.. Putties, wrapping legs, mans, for the use of!!!

Gentlemen, within the British Armed Forces, we use a PUTTIE with a length of no less than: 90-inches.

There is only one way of adornment, and that gentlemen... is the CORRECT WAY!! ;-) For infantry battalions the process is as follows:-

The Puttie is first rolled ready for use with the out securing strap innermost, and the inside surface facing outwards. Start at the inner leg, at the junction of the boot and trouser, then unfold towards the outside of the leg. The motion should be as though wrapping a bandage around a limb. Continue up the leg till just midway between upper calf and lower knee. The join of the actual Puttie and its securing strap should end at the outer center of the leg... inline with the outer seam of the trouser.

Continue to wrap the securing strap around and upon itself, till enough is left, but not enough for a further wrap around the leg.

At the junction of the Puttie/Securing strap, tuck the securing strap under itself vertically, pulling the remainder to the top. Then position the securing strap (pulled taught) vertically over itself to the position of the first tuck. Continue this for approximately three tucks. The remaining few inches of Puttie Securing Strap can then be tucked away behind the actual Puttie.

Repetative practice is required to achieve the required regulation fit! Regimental perculiarities not withstanding, the positioning and fit of the Puttie is STANDARD!

For Cavalry, Artillery, and Horse Transport Units... start at the end position for Infantry, working down the leg.. from the inside outwards!

[qms]

For those having trouble with puttees, may I suggest marking them left and right and marking the 'bottom' corner (a simple stitched in "L" and "R" will suffice, this is to ensure that the same puttee goes on the same leg the same way up each time.
Next, soay the puttee in fairly warm water, remove the excess water and roll sait puttee, then apply, tightly to the leg, stretching the item as required, repeat with the other puttee/leg.
Wear until the garment(s) is/are 'wearably' dry
This should cause the puttee to take up a curve which, with anyluck it will retain.
When removed, lay the puttee out without any pulling or loading until dry.
Roll as described in an earlier post for future use.

Any help?

Tom

[rodian]

Thanks for all the advice on wrapping puttees, guys.

I actually already know how to that, I was just checking if there was any specific way the Austro-Hungarians did it.....which as far as I can see from the replies, there wasn't.

[Larry Dunn]

Dec 7, 2011 10:48:01 GMT -8 Larry Dunn said:

AH puttees were more like a knit material with some stretch to it, so they conformed to the calf. The Schipper puttees I've been using are just plain cloth, so I've been using the "two half twists in the back" method to get them to conform to my (rather manly) calves. I've got a new pair coming from the Czech Republic that are supposed to be identical to the originals--I'll report back when they arrive.

-Larry

The new puttees arrived yesterday. They are indeed knit material, not stretchy per se, but with enough "give" that they conform nicely to the leg and seem to wrap much easier than my other pair. They also have a buckle on the tape.

-Larry

[hwolf]

So did your wife look at you oddly when you where wrapping your legs in the living room? ;D
Dan

[Larry Dunn]

Dec 21, 2011 14:42:49 GMT -8 hwolf said:

So did your wife look at you oddly when you where wrapping your legs in the living room? ;D
Dan

Yes, but not any more than usual.

BTW--I saw a "German Firearms Expert" named Dan Sutton on the History Channel--any relation? (LOL)

-Larry

[hwolf]

AAAAAHHHHH don't remind me. I threw up a little in my mouth when I found out I had to say the luger was a better firearm than the colt 45. I mean REALLY? I may be a german reeactor but I'm also a realist! Oh well....I got paid
Yes I'm cheap...
Dan

[oskar2ndchev]

M1911- when you absolutely, postively have to kill something... ;D

Never could understand the mystique behind the Lugar. Oh well, whose bread I eat, whose song I sing...